In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are spotlighting two special advocates this month who were instrumental in leading a volunteer information session in August to recruit more Hispanic and bilingual advocates!
VERONICA GARZA
What made you decide to become a CASA?
I had heard about and seen so many heartbreaking stories about children in the foster care system, and many times I felt frustrated at not knowing how I could help or make a change. I wanted to make a real difference in a child’s life, so when I learned about CASA and the type of work they do, I knew I had to be involved.
What is your professional/ volunteer background?
I am an attorney and my practice is focused on immigration law. It is through my practice and working with children that I saw how many immigrant children end up in the foster care system. I hope that my experience and knowledge in immigration law will be beneficial to the cases I am assigned to.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
Attend an information session, ask questions, and learn as much as you can about the type of commitment you will be making. Then get involved, whether as a CASA, a donor, or a volunteer, there is always something you can do to help the cause.
What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
As a CASA you are the point of contact for all parties involved with the case. It can be overwhelming at times to get different information from every person involved or feel like you are being pulled in all directions. However, in the end you have to remember that your goal is to be the voice for your child or children, and their well-being is the most important part of your work. Keeping that in mind will help you focus and keep doing what needs to be done.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
Knowing that you are doing life changing work, even when it may not seem like it at the moment.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. One of my kids told me that I was like a mother to her, and that she was grateful for everything I was doing for her. That filled my heart with more joy than I ever expected to feel through this type of work. You may not get that type of statement every time with every single case, but it sure felt good!
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or the CASA experience?
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to do this type of work. Some of my friends have asked me why I don’t just do ad litem work through my practice, and my response is, that does not give me the in depth access into the case that I have as a volunteer who has no interest in the case but the well-being of the child. As a CASA, I have contact with the child, the attorneys, the families, and anyone that has an impact on the child’s case and life. I feel being a CASA is the best way to make a difference.
How have you been able to connect with your CASA kids during this time of quarantine? How are you advocating for them during this time? How has it impacted the children on your case?
I thankfully have been able to communicate with my kid through phone calls, zoom, facetime, text messages. Nothing much has really changed, other than not having that face to face time as often as I’d like. Attending a hearing through zoom was also interesting, but everyone is getting used to it. Things are getting done, and that’s what counts.
JANNET ALARCON
What made you decide to become a CASA?
I was so inspired by the presentation by Child Advocacy Supervisor, Jaime Hernandez at a fellow CASA volunteer’s home, Veronica Garza. Then, I decided the same day to get register because I thought that I could do something to help these kids even it was little. The other reason I became a casa is because when I was a kid, 12 years old, my parents left my sister and I under the care of my grandma, they never went back to retrieve us. My gradma did everything for us and I am so grateful she was there for us, if not, for sure we would end in a foster home. Kids did not deserve to be abandoned or neglect by their parents.
What is your professional/ volunteer background?
I was volunteering in Catholic Charities and Immigrant Project during 2016. I helped them with Immigration Services for our community. I was also a volunteer in Crowley ISD Food Banks along with son, at Texas Wesleyan, my alma matter, during some events. I did some volunteer hours at TAPS (Texas Advance Paralegal Seminar 2018-State Bar of Texas) at the event registration and TAMU as a notary public.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
I can say that we are in this world to serve others and not just to be served. So, if you can do something for someone else who is in need or not, just do it!
What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
Gaining people's trust. Moreover, the children's trust. These kids were going through a lot, so there is not easy for them to believe that someone cares about them. However, actions are better than words, so this is what they need to see.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
Happy faces, smiles, and getting a "Thank you" for these children. Seeing these kids improving themselves in many ways such as becoming bilingual and getting good grades at the school.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case.
When one of my kids was getting through a situation that involved hurting herself, I was able to talk to her and shared my experiences as a kid. We cried together and I gave her a hug and told her that I was there for her at any time and for anything. I encouraged her to fight and never give up even the obstacles in her life. I reassured that she would be a great woman and professional in a couple of years, but she must make some efforts to achieve that. I saw hope in her eyes that day and felt so lucky of having the opportunity to influence this kid in a positive way.
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or the CASA experience?
Donating my time has been the best investment of my life. This is a challenge that most of us would take in pro of the future of these children. In that way, we were able to show the next generation that kindness and caring for others can make our world better than today.
How have you been able to connect with your CASA kids during this time of quarantine? How are you advocating for them during this time? How has it impacted the children on your case?
Quarantine has changed everybody's lives. Communication with my CASA kids has been reduced at once a month through FaceTime. However, I am sending cards to them so they can know I am thinking and caring about them. I am also in communication with the parties of the case advocating for these kids to have visits with their mom and monitoring their health passport & counseling reports.
During my virtual visits with my children, they let me know that they would wish to return to the school in person. I'm sure they need to interact with some friends and come back to their normal life. Also, they disclosed to me their desire to come back home with their mom. I am praying for them to get the best decision over their case.
CAS Lui Sanchez says, “Veronica and Jannet have not only been a pleasure to work with during my time at CASA, but a HUGE asset to the Latinx community here in Tarrant County. Their diligence to the Hispanic children on their cases have made sure that they have not slipped through the cracks during the Covid-19 Pandemic. They have also stepped up by hosting a special Hispanic/Latinx community information session earlier this summer, in order to help CASA recruit more bilingual volunteers for the Hispanic children currently in foster care. I consider myself very privileged to have two wonderful, hardworking Latina volunteers on my team. They are truly an inspiration to me and I appreciate their own personal and professional experience they bring to the table.”